The Wikipedia tells us that the term is "Bowden cable":

The linear movement of the inner cable is most often used to transmit a
pulling force, although push/pull cables have gained popularity in
recent years e.g. as gear shift cables. Many light aircraft use a
push/pull bowden cable for the throttle control, and here it is normal
for the inner element to be solid wire, rather than a multi-strand cable.

--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
Bend, Ore.

On 12/02/2013 11:05 AM, greentabe-vanagon@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
> Hi All,
>
> I am looking for the correct terminology here:
>
> You know the heater and vent cables?  They are flexible sheathed rods that can both push and pull.  By contrast a sheathed cable like a bike brake cable can only pull - if you push on it it will buckle.
>
> What is the name of either a sheathed rod that can push and pull, or a sheathed cable with a rod on the end, again for both pushing and pulling?
>
> Thanks!
>
> t johnson/90MV
>